BRAINBOX

The music of Brainbox is best described as progressive blues rock with a psychedelic vibe. The main attraction is of course the guitar playing of Jan Akkerman, but the soulful vocals of Kaz Lux are very distinctive for the music as well. Added with the powerful bass of Andre Reynen and the creative, jazzy drumming of Pierre van der Linden this is a great album.

It opens with one of their most progressive tracks, Dark Rose. This is a sort of proto-Hocus Pocus (the Focus hit). There are some very fast and furious guitar breaks by Akkerman and a wonderful flute solo played by Solution member Tom Barlage. It takes some time to recover from this one, so the next song is a not so interesting cover of a Tim Hardin song. This is followed by a nice blues tune with some typical Akkerman chords. The adaptation of Scarborough Fair has again a progressive flavour. Akkerman plays acoustic guitar and Barlage again adds his beautiful flute. On the album is also a version of the classic Summertime. This is one of the better versions, with again a brilliant guitar solo. Sinner's Prayer is another typical blues song. The b-side of the album is occupied by the psychedelic Sea of Delight with long guitar, bass and drum solos. It starts and ends as an ordinary rock song, but the long middle part is truly a psychedelic trip. The best moments are occupied by Akkerman's guitarwork, but there a also some tedious moments with the inevitable drum and bass solos. Overall a good track though.

On the CD release you can also find the a- and b-sides of their first two 45s. Down Man is a good original song, Woman's Gone is a sad blues song with the piano played by Rob Hoeke and bass by Akkerman, because at that time they didn't have a bass player. The second single is an edit of the long Sea of Delight, paired with a rock song with a wah-wah drenched guitar. This is as good as an interesting album, because soon after this release Akkerman and van der Linden became Focus members and went on for great musical fortune.

Brainbox a classic Dutch band that recorded a prog-infused blues-rock album in 1969. With the heavy jazz-rock guitar of Jan Akkerman and the masterful drumming of Pierre van der Linden (who would eventually both join Focus) and the strong voice Kaz Lux the band has some stand-out musicians on display. The band did not have a strong song-writer, so we are presented a tracklist on which the strongest songs are all covers. Of these the folk-rock version of 'Scarborough Fair' and the heavy blues rock version of 'Summertime' have become classics. The second side is filled with 'Sea of Delight', a not particularly strong song that's used as a vehicle for jamming and improvisation. For collectors of sixties (blues rock) music this is without a doubt an interesting record from a bygone era. Also fans of Focus en Akkerman should take notice.

Brainbox is mainly known for being the embryo out of which Focus was born. Akkerman took himself to a whole other level with Focus but this is a document that holds both interest and worth. It is basically a rock/pop album with a psychedelic flavor but there is also that wonderful element of progressive tendencies in it's very beginning.

Three out of seven tracks are primarily hard rock with "Dark rose" really hitting the mark with the flute, intensity and wonderful instrumentation, not least due to Akkerman's blistering guitar work. A really great and intense song. "Baby, what you want me to do?" is an old blues song made famous by Jimmy Reed and later also covered by Elvis Presley. Alright but progressive? No, not in the least. "Sinner's prayer" opens up with a great, heavy riff but it all goes unremarkable when the song gets going. Just another blues song. That isn't bad but nothing to brag about.

"Reason to Believe" is a cover of Tim Hardin and it differs not much from the original. Quite unimpressive rendition.

Four of the seven tracks are covers. Two of them ("Baby, what you want me to do?" and "Reason to belive") adds little to the development of progressive rock. However, "Scarborough Fair" does. I've heard several versions by other bands doing this particular track and it is well suited for a progressive treatment. It is very atmospheric with flute, great acoustic guitar, restrained drums and vibes that gives the track a spacey and warm feel. Elongated and embellished this version is one of my favorites. It is a treat.

The second cover worth mentioning is "Summertime" that gets the Heavy or progressive treatment aswell. Again the result is great. and the proto-prog elements are there and in abundance. Nice organ too.

The "Epic" of the album is "Sea of delight" with it's 17 minutes worth of playing time. It is not like any Epic of later years with a whole lot of sections and pieces. It is more of a jam than anything else. It starts with a great melodic vocal part that soon heads into a frantic session where each of the instruments gets it's fair share of room. It's an interesting and really good piece of progressive jamming shrouded in late 60's psychedelia. I like it alot and it does not get boring at any time.

So, is the first album by Brainbox anything to spend time on? Yes, I Think so. If you peel away the uninteresting tracks. you're left with some prog made in it's infancy that is really enjoyable. This album is not only interesting due to the presence of Akkerman, it is interesting as a time piece and holds some really great and interesting ideas. Had they done something more interesting with, say, "Reason to Believe" for instance the rating would have earned them an extra star but as it stands I'll give it Three. But do check it out. It's worth it.

Before guitarist Jan Akkerman and drummer Pierre Van Der Linden joined FOCUS they were part of this blues band called BRAINBOX. Both would leave after this record and BRAINBOX would release another album in 1972 before packing it in until that comeback album in the 10's. The attraction for most people to picking up this album is that FOCUS connection of course and really the only redeeming thing about this record is listening to these two play.

This was released in 1969 and we get seven tracks four of which are covers. The three originals are disappointing although the opener "Dark Rose" is an energetic piece that has it's moments. But the short and bluesy 2 1/2 minute "Sinner's Prayer" and the epic(not) 17 minute closer "Sea Of Delight" falls flat. I was so looking forward to "Sea Of Delight" but it lays an egg big time. Extra large. So much of this is sparse to a fault and while that changes late I'm not into drum solos or the way the vocals arrive so awkwardly.

If your into covers you might like some of this but man Jan and Pierre did a wise thing when they jumped ship.